Air Compressor Pressure Switch Wiring Guide
When wiring the pressure switch for your air compressor, it is important that you follow all of the standard guidelines for the proper setup and installation of the wiring. Before starting the process of wiring you need to be sure that you are familiar with the basics of air compressor pressure switch wiring.
The process for wiring your air compressor’s pressure switch involves removing the pressure switch cover, checking the terminals, and then stripping the wires and matching them back to their appropriate areas.
This process will be outlined in detail in this guide as well as some other useful information that will come in handy while completing the process of wiring your air compressor’s pressure switch. You should follow these instructions carefully to ensure that you are completing the process properly.
Air Compressor Pressure Switch Wiring Preparations
You will need to acquire a quality air compressor switch, wire strippers, a screwdriver set, and safety gloves to be able to begin the wiring process. These items and some suggestions on where to purchase them will be detailed in the section below.
Air Compressor Pressure Switch
You will need an air compressor pressure switch that is compatible with your machine. You should choose one with the highest-pressure rating after confirming that it is compatible with your air compressor.
You can purchase an air compressor switch online for around $45, depending on the quality and specifications that your air compressor requires. The table below contains some of the most popular online vendors and their prices for air compressor pressure switches.
| Vendor | Avg. Pressure Switch Price |
| Walmart | $32 |
| Amazon | $35 |
| Lowes | $40 |
| Home Depot | $42 |
| Ace Hardware | $37 |
Ingersoll Rand 23474653 Pressure Switch for Single Phase Compressor
$142.00 in stock
Wire Strippers
If the wires are not stripped, you will need a pair of quality wire strippers to get them ready for the wiring process. You can purchase wire strippers online for around $25. The table below contains some of the most popular online vendors and their prices for wire strippers
| Vendor | Avg. Wire Stripper Price |
| Walmart | $30 |
| Amazon | $25 |
| Lowes | $28 |
| Home Depot | $22 |
| Ace Hardware | $25 |
MulWark 3 in 1 Automatic Self Adjusting Wire Stripper/ Cutter/ Crimper, 8 Inch Multi Pliers For Electrical Wire Stripping, Cable Cutting, Crimping Tool from 8 AWG to 30 AWG
Screwdriver Set
You will need a screwdriver set to ensure that you have the proper sizes for loosening and tightening the screws in the terminal. You can purchase a screwdriver set online for around $25. The table below contains some of the most popular online vendors and their prices for screwdriver sets.
| Vendor | Avg. Screwdriver Set Price |
| Walmart | $25 |
| Amazon | $22 |
| Lowes | $20 |
| Home Depot | $25 |
| Ace Hardware | $25 |
WHOMASS Magnetic Screwdriver Set 51 PCS with Case and Supper Magnet, Professional Screwdriver Set Includes Slotted/Phillips/Hex/Torx/Square/Pozi Head Non-Slip for Repair Home Improvement Craft
1 used from $27.64
Safety Gloves
You will need a quality pair of safety gloves to ensure that you are protected from electrical shocks as well as any scrapes while wiring the pressure switch of your air compressor.
You can purchase a pair of safety gloves for around $8. The table below contains some of the most popular online vendors and their prices for safety gloves.
| Vendor | Avg. Safety Glove Price |
| Walmart | $8 |
| Amazon | $10 |
| Lowes | $12 |
| Home Depot | $9 |
| Ace Hardware | $8 |
Air Compressor Pressure Switch Wiring Instructions
Once you have acquired the proper items you need to start the wiring process, you will need to follow the instructions detailed in the section below to properly wire your pressure switch. The steps will be discussed in detail so that you can follow along during the process.
1. Double Check Power Source
The first thing you should do is double-check the power source. It is critical that you ensure that you have unplugged your air compressor from all potential power sources. You can do this by removing the main electrical cord from the power source.
Because the wiring process calls for exposing wires and terminals, it is important that you ensure that they are not powered to avoid the danger of electrical shock. Once you have done this, you can move to the next step.
2. Remove Pressure Switch Cover
To remove the pressure switch cover, you should first put on your safety gloves. This will keep you from being shocked by any electrical charge in the pressure switch. After you have put on your safety gloves, remove the cover of your pressure switch and move to the next step.
3. Check Contacts And Terminals
Inside the pressure switch, you should check the set of four contacts and terminals that are located there. There are two sets of terminals, a line/power cord and a motor cord. These are the terminals that the wires from the line and motor should go into.
4. Check Terminal Markings
Check the markings on the terminals. They are always labeled for either line or motor, so you will be able to identify them both easily. After you have confirmed which terminals are which, move on to the next step.
5. Check Cord Color
The cords will be colored either black, white, or green. You should ensure that the black and white motor wires are only connected to motor terminals. As long as you connect the black and white wires to the proper motor terminal, it will not matter if the white is in the black’s place or vice versa.
6. Attach Cords To Proper Terminals
You should now attach the black and white cords appropriately based on your pressure switches terminal layout. The pressure switch terminal layout is different for every pressure switch. Once you have attached the wires to their appropriate terminals, continue on to the next step.
7. Strip Wires If Necessary
If the soldering is not already attached with stripped wires, you will need to use your wire stripper to strip the wires down to the copper. It is recommended to only strip down about an inch but you could need more or less depending on your specific situation.
Once you have stripped the wires down appropriately, attach the soldering with the copper wires. After you have securely attached the wires to the terminals, move on to the next step.
8. Double Check The Markings
Double check the terminal markings to ensure you know which one is the motor and which one is the line. Loosen the terminal screws with a screwdriver and attach the cords appropriately.
9. Wire The Green Wire
The green wire will always need to be attached to the green screw located on the metal frame of a pressure switch. Find this green screw and attach the green wire to it.
10. Start Compressor
Once you have completed all of the steps above, you will be ready to start your compressor from the main power source. This will complete the process of wiring your pressure switch for your air compressor.
Air Compressor Pressure Switch Wiring Adjustments
If you wish to adjust your pressure switch, you will need to determine if you have an adjustable pressure switch or a non-adjustable one. Both of these types of pressure switches will be discussed in detail in the section below.
Adjustable Pressure Switch
An adjustable pressure switch has an adjustable screw built into it that can be used to adjust the pressure and allow for additional pressure optimizations. To adjust the pressure, all you need to do is adjust the screw to the proper levels.
Non-Adjustable Pressure Switch
A non-adjustable pressure switch will only be able to be used with factory settings. They do not have an adjustment screw built in, which does not allow for adjusting the pressure settings. These types of pressure switches utilize an auto-cut system to control the preset pressure.
Air Compressor Pressure Switch Wiring Warning
You should be aware of some factors like compatibility, capacity, and quality of the pressure switch while completing the wiring process. All of these factors will be discussed in detail in the section below.
Compatibility
You should ensure that you are purchasing a pressure switch that is compatible with your air compressor. Using a pressure switch that is not compatible with your air compressor could cause lasting damage to both of your devices.
Capacity
You should avoid excessive voltage, as this could cause your pressure switch to get overloaded and burnt out. Even if the switch is not burned out, you will still be shortening the lifespan of your pressure switch significantly if you overload the voltage frequently.
Quality
You should also consider the quality of the pressure switch you are purchasing. While pressure switches can be found extremely cheap, they are not always high quality. You should do your research on the products you are purchasing and ensure that they are meeting the needs of previous customers.
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with all of the information that you need to properly wire your air compressor pressure switch. Using the information in this guide you will be able to ensure that you wire your pressure switch properly so that it works without any issues.
It is important that you follow the proper procedures for wiring your air compressor pressure switch. If you do not follow the guidelines properly or attempt to wire your pressure switch with too little experience, you could risk damaging your compressor or yourself.
This guide can ensure that you do not encounter any issues during your wiring process.
